Ash-sifter



(No Model.)

J. A. MURPHY.

ASH SIFTER.

No. 379,322. Patented M31213, 1888.

m1tnES5ES lnventnr; M1

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. MURPHY, or HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

ASH-SIFTER.

SPECIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,322, dated March 13, 1888.

Application filed June 27, 1887. Serial No. 242,588. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: V

Be it known that 1, JAMES A. MURPHY, of Holyoke, in the county of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ash-Sifters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide an ash-Sifter which will be light in weight and easily operated, from which no dust or ashes can escape while the ashes are being sifted, and which cannotbe damaged by live coals contained in the ashes.

To these ends my invention consists in the Sifter constructed as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which like letters designate like parts in the several figures, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the Sifter. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. 'Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view thereof with the handle removed.

The letterA designates the rectangular bod y of the Sifter, having its bottom sloping from its rear to its front end, as shown, and having the cover B hinged at its rear end. The

body will preferably be made of galvanized iron, although common sheet-iron or zinc could be used.

The body A is divided into two compartments by the screen F, made of coarse wire and secured to the sides and ends of the body about midway between the top and bottom thereof, as shown. At the front end of the Sifter the lower compartment is provided with an opening to permit sifted ashes to be removed therefrom, said opening extending only about one-half of the width of the body, and being normally closed by a door or gate, E, adapted to slide vertically in ways 6, secured to the body A. A cleat, e, co-operates with said door, when closed, to tightly close the opening and prevent the escape of dust during the operation of sifting. By making the said opening only about one-half the width of the Sifter it is adapted to guide the sifted ashes into a coal hod or similar receptacle and prevent the same from. escaping beyond the sides of said receptacle, as would be the case if said opening extended entirely across the end of the Sifter.

O designates a metallic tube secured at one end to the front end of the body and extending centrally through the upper compartment to and through the rear end of the body, as shown in Fig. 3. This tube receives the bandle D, which is made of wood, and prevents said handle from being charred and weakened by live coals contained within the ashes placed in the upper compartment.

The sloping bottom of the Sifter causes the sifted ashes to pass to the front end of the lower compartment during the operation of sifting, where they are in position to drop into the receptacle when the door E is raised.

The cover B, which is also made of metal,

will be provided with cleats upon its inner side, as shown, so that when closed said cover will effectually prevent the escape of ashes or dust.

It will be observed that with the Sifter constructed as described it is not necessary to wait until the ashes become cold before sifting them, as is the case with those generally in use, since, there being no wood in the Sifter with which the ashes can come in contact, it cannot be damaged by live coals and is abso lutely fire-proof.

The handle D will be of sufficient length to be easily grasped by the hands to impart the vibrating movement to the Sifter by which the sifting operation is performed.

The Sifter thus constructed is light and easily operated. Owing to the fact that the bottom thereof is tightly closed, it can be used in any part of the house without danger of soiling the carpets or furniture with ashdnst, and is much stronger and more durable than if made of wood. 7 r

I do not wish to limit myself to the exact shape and proportions of the sifter shown, as it is obvious that modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A closed ash-Sifter consisting of a rectangular receptacle having a sloping bottom inclined downward from its front to its rear end, bottom and end and top doors, said receptacle a hinged cover at the top of said receptacle, having also a horizontal screen between its provided with cleats on its inner side to form bottom and top to divide it into two comparta tight joint, a sliding door, E, movable vertiments, and a metallic tube to receive the han- 15 cally in ways 6 at one side or corner of the dle, extending centrally through the upper rear end of said receptacle, a cleat. e, to close compartment and projecting through the front the joint below the said door, and a horizontal 'Wall thereof, substantially as set forth.

screen, F, between the top and bottom of the JAMES A. MURPHY.

said receptacle, substantially as set forth. \Vitnesses:

2. Afire-proof ash-sifter consisting of a rect- V. H. CHAPMAN, angular metallic receptacle having a closed H. K. HAWES. 

